Class felt like it lasted seven hours. Not because it was boring, but because I kept looking around, low-key expecting someone to pop a devil wing out of their back or summon a dragon under their desk.
But no—just a bunch of beautiful people writing notes, whispering, and glancing my way every now and then like I was the transfer kid from Mars.
When the bell rang, I almost jumped out of my chair like I was being freed from prison.
MC: "Lunchtime. Let's goooo—"
And then reality hit.
I didn't bring lunch.
Correction.
I didn't have anything to bring.
My entire life had just been reset into anime land with a stretchy body and no idea how the hell I was affording tuition. You think I had a bento box ready?
MC (patting bag): "Please, please, anime gods, give me something useful…"
I opened my bag… and found money.
Bills.
Crisp, clean, slightly unrealistic amounts of yen.
MC: "YES. Thank the heavens. I'm not gonna starve today."
I made my way to the school store and grabbed the first thing that looked sweet, cheap, and packed with energy: Honey Bread.
One. Perfect. Golden. Glorious. Sugar-filled carb brick.
Holding it felt like holding Excalibur.
I made my way up the school stairs, trying to find somewhere quiet to eat. Not gonna lie, I was still avoiding any further contact with Kiba. Dude was just too nice and too hot, and it made me question if I was the background character in my own life.
I pushed open the rooftop door and felt the breeze hit me.
That's when I saw her.
Lying on her side, snoozing on the rooftop bench like a sleepy little cat.
Koneko Toujou.
MC (whispers): "Holy crap… she's adorable."
Like, for real. She looked tiny and quiet, but there was that don't mess with me vibe even in her sleep. Her snow-white hair fluttered in the wind, and her chest rose and fell with peaceful little breaths.
I tiptoed over to the far side and sat down, trying not to disturb her.
Then I unwrapped my honey bread, ready to taste anime cafeteria heaven.
I took one bite—
And paused.
She was staring at me.
Not at me.
At the bread.
MC: "Uhhh…"
Her golden eyes locked on the sweet roll like a predator spotting prey. She didn't move. Just stared. Silently. Judging.
I slowly held the bread out toward her.
She looked at it.
Leaned slightly forward.
Reached.
And just as her fingers brushed the edge—
CHOMP.
I shoved the entire thing into my mouth.
Every. Last. Crumb.
MC (muffled): "MmmmmmMMMmmmm…"
She froze.
Then squinted.
Then growled.
Like—actual, tiny-gremlin-growl.
Koneko: " i dont like you."
I grinned through a full mouth. "Efff-yo-breaaaad."
She crossed her arms, turning her head away with a dramatic little "Hmph."
Koneko: "You'll pay for that."
MC (swallowing): "Yeah, yeah. Put it on my tab."
I leaned back and let the breeze hit me. For a moment, everything felt… peaceful.
Like this world wasn't insane. Like maybe I could survive here.
That moment lasted about six seconds.
The rooftop door creaked open, and someone yelled something about club meetings, and Koneko stood up, stretched like a sleepy cat, and walked off without another word.
I waved lazily. "Bye, my bread thief."
She didn't look back.
But I saw her look at me.
MC: "I'll count that as a 'see ya later.'"
After class ended, I walked out the school gates, bag slung over my shoulder, still thinking about how that one honey bread nearly caused a rooftop incident.
Then I saw her.
Out of the corner of my eye.
Red hair.
Long, flowing, almost glowing in the sunlight like a literal fire goddess had descended from the heavens.
She was walking near the school building, talking to someone, her face calm, smile soft.
MC (whispers): "…Rias Gremory."
I had seen her in the anime, sure.
But seeing her now?
In person?
Beautiful didn't even cover it.
Her hair moved like it was in slow motion. Her uniform fit her perfectly—graceful, regal, like she owned the entire school and knew it. Her presence alone felt like velvet and power mixed into one.
I froze.
Burned her image into my brain.
MC (internal): "Yup. Saving that. Brain screenshot complete."
I turned and walked away before she noticed me gawking.
I didn't go home.
Instead, I headed toward the nearby forest. There was something buzzing in my chest—excitement, nervousness, curiosity.
Time to train.
I dropped my bag on the grass and stepped into a clearing. Sunlight filtered through the trees. A few birds chirped. It felt like the perfect spot to start a shonen power montage.
I cracked my knuckles.
MC: "Alright. Let's test this."
I pulled my arm back, felt the weird tension in my shoulder, like my body was made of elastic bands now.
MC: "Gum-Gum… no…"
I breathed in.
Focused.
Visualized it.
"PISTOL!!"
I threw my arm forward, imagining it stretching like Luffy's. But instead of launching like a rocket—it flopped forward like a sad noodle and dropped.
THUD.
MC: "…That was pathetic."
The tree didn't even shake. Hell, I think a leaf gently floated down just to mock me.
MC: "Okay. That's fine. First try. Let's go again."
I shook out my arms.
Pulled back.
Yelled louder.
"GUM-GUM NO—PISTOL!!"
THWAP.
My arm launched forward—this time it did stretch—and smacked into the tree… with all the force of a wet paper towel.
The tree wobbled slightly.
A squirrel fell out and looked at me in disappointment.
MC: "Even the squirrels are judging me…"
I sighed.
Then grinned.
MC: "Alright. Let's begin."
,